So what’s the solution?

I hear the question constantly “so what’s the solution?” to the myriad of animal problems that we have here in San Antonio.

I believe people already know what to do, they just are hoping someone else will do it (the City) and don’t think they contribute to the problem (it was only one litter).

I was reviewing the animal stories of the past week and watched a KENS-5 news clip of animals at the Uvalde Animal Shelter and how they are overcrowded and have too many animals. The clip showed a half a dozen dogs in one kennel. I was actually very concerned about this because this is stressful to the animals, can cause the rampant spread of disease, and if the animals are not spayed or neutered before they go into the cage then they can reproduce — although I am sure they are separated by sex, but that can mean even more problems if unneutered males are housed together — they can get aggressive and fight. While they want to save them all, in the interest of humane care, they may have to draw the line when they reach capacity — or they may need to be resued.

So what’s the solution? SPAYING & NEUTERING. It is state law that all animals leaving a sheltering facility be spayed or neutered. But even if you don’t get your pet at a shelter, you still have a responsibility to get your pet sterilized.

Then there was the story of the San Antonio’s Animal Control who will no longer rent traps and take in wild animals. This upsets many residents, but the truth is, if you want Animal Control to address dog and cat issues, you must let them focus on those issues. They handle on average about 170 of these animals a month. The animals are transferred to Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation out in Kendalia where they are set free or nursed back to health, depending on their condition.

Their press release said “in the interest of public safety, Animal Care Services will continue to accept trapped wildlife brought into our facility. Those animals will then be transferred to local wildlife rescue organizations. While it’s always advisable to leave wild animals alone, Animal Care Services WILL continue to pick up any wildlife that’s injured a person or pet.” So they are not leaving the public out on a limb, but simply cutting back to focus their energy on the solving the dog and cat problems.

But let’s be real. It”s not their problem to completely solve this matter. It’s ours. Until everyone gets that, we are going to have too many dogs and cats and not enough homes. They can make a difference, but they can’t solve the entire problem as long as people think it’s okay to have “just one litter.” Your kids can see the miracle of birth on a DVD.

Okay, back to wildlife. The reason wildlife can be so prevalent is that 1) we live in their habitat, 2) we provide food sources (outdoor pet food, garbage cans, etc. that attracts them to our homes, 3) In losing habitat, they sometimes wander into our homes, attics, or garages for shelter. It’s quite sad really.

So what’s the solution? Lynn Cuny of Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation offered some tips in this Express-News article on what to do. Basically, you need to remove the sources of attraction to your home, and if things become very difficult you will have to pay a service to come out and remove the animal.

None of our animal problems are going to go away and until we take responsibility to effect change. As for being a no-kill in 2012, let me just say the City can’t do it alone. Austin declared it was working towards being a no-kill city back in 1998. While they only euthanize 13,000 animals a year (compared to about 40,000 then), they are still not a no-kill city — they are a less kill city — and that’s what we need to be striving to be.

mysa admin

About the Author

Cathy M. Rosenthal has more than 25 years of experience in public relations, communications and humane education in the animal welfare field. She has worked for local humane societies and national humane groups, appearing on hundreds of television and radio news and public affairs programs to address animal issues. She currently is a consultant for local and national animal welfare organizations, writing grants, annual reports and other marketing materials. She is also the author of several children's books about animals.